The USSR did not break up and become Russia again. Thinking Russia and the USSR were the same, is a common mistake. Russia was just part of the USSR, along with many other countries. Russia was the largest of the countries that were part of the USSR. In 1991, the USSR broke up and these countries, including Russia, all became independent.

The USSR or modern-day Russia (USSR / Russia both refer to modern day Russia. The USSR was Russia's old name. )

Source:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venera_9

The USSR came after, not before the last Tsar of Russia ruled.

No, USSR was evil Russia but the current Russia is NOT evil.

Russia